How well are you sleeping?
Answer 5 simple questions in our sleep test for a brief evaluation and some advice.
Take the sleep testA sleep aid is a substance or technique that relaxes the body and mind to encourage good sleep. Marianna Kilburn, our Sleep Advisor, explores the different sleep aids available - from sleeping tablets prescribed by your doctor, to over-the-counter medicines and herbal remedies.
In general, sleeping aids are most suitable for short-term use – for example when suffering jetlag they can help you get back to a normal sleep pattern. It is not unusual to have the occasional sleepless night, especially if there is something exciting happening the next day - this should not require a sleeping aid.
You may have a sleepless night if you are, for example, nervous or excited because of a long-awaited holiday. If you do not want to be tired for this big event, you could take a single dose of a sleep remedy, giving you the best chance to feel bright and alert the next day.
If you are suffering from sleep problems or a sleep disorder, it is important to discuss your problems with a healthcare professional so that you can find something that is safe and effective for you. It is important to remember that the side effects of some sleeping aids (particularly sleeping tablets prescribed by your doctor) become apparent only after long-term use.
These are medicines prescribed by your doctor, usually to help you get over a short spell of bad sleep. The main types of sleeping tablets available are:
However, prescribed sleeping tablets are usually a last resort because of the side effects associated with them. These may include:
These are medicines available from a pharmacy without a prescription. A number of these sleeping aids are available and in general, they take advantage of drowsiness as a side effect.
For example, anti-histamines are often an ingredient in this group of medicines while in fact, they were originally developed to help with the symptoms of allergic reactions.
While over-the-counter remedies may be effective for the occasional sleepless night, the safety of these medicines is still unknown:
Many people look to herbal remedies as an alternative to prescription medicines or over-the-counter sleeping aids. These have become increasingly popular and are available from your local or high street health food store and pharmacy.
Such herbal remedies include:
Some people seek sleeping aids which do not come in the form of a tablet, capsule or tincture. Complementary therapies to aid sleep include:
Looking for an undisturbed nights sleep? Need to regulate your sleep pattern?
Then look no further than Dormeasan Valerian & Hops.
"Has really helped me to sleep especially with the advice on the site as to how best to take it for the best results."
To find local independent stores in your area that sell Dormeasan Valerian & Hops, simply type your postcode below.
Answer 5 simple questions in our sleep test for a brief evaluation and some advice.
Take the sleep testAs the A. Vogel Sleep advisor, I recommend Dormeasan®, a natural sleep remedy made from fresh extracts of Valerian root and Hops.
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